According to a paper submitted for peer review on January 4th, 2024, Lethal Infection of Human ACE2-Transgenic Mice Caused by SARS-CoV-2-related Pangolin Coronavirus GX_P2V(short_3UTR), a new lab-created coronavirus has the potential to kill 100% of those infected with the virus within 8 days of infection.
The mice were genetically modified to express the human ACE2 receptor. This is the receptor responsible for allowing coronavirus to gain cellular entry. The lab infected mice with a coronavirus engineered from a strain found in pangolins. Pangolins are medium-sized animals growing to 12 - 30 inches in length and have the appearance of a scale-plated anteater.
Researchers monitored the mice for signs of infection by recording body weight, taking tissue samples, and monitoring for other symptoms. By the third day post-infection, tissue samples from the infected mice had a significant amount of viral RNA in the brain, eye, lung, and nasal tissue.
Shrunken neurons were detected in the brain tissues in the samples taken on the third day. By day six, the brain tissue samples contained “exceptionally high viral RNA loads.” The viral loads were high enough in the brain for researchers to suggest this as the cause of death.
Researchers noted that the mice's body weight had decreased on the fifth day after the initial viral infection. On day six, the mice exhibited a 10% weight loss.
Seven days afterward, the number and severity of symptoms increased to include piloerection (goosebumps), a hunched posture, and sluggish movements. Researchers also noted that on this day, the eyes of the infected mice turned white.
All infected mice succumbed to the infection by the eighth day and perished.
Written by: Bradley Patton
Source:
Lethal Infection of Human ACE2-Transgenic Mice Caused by SARS-CoV-2-related Pangolin Coronavirus GX_P2V(short_3UTR)
Lai Wei, Shuiqing Liu, Shanshan Lu, Shengdong Luo, Xiaoping An, Huahao Fan, Weiwei Chen, Erguang Li, Yigang Tong, Lihua SongbioRxiv 2024.01.03.574008; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.01.03.574008